Description
This vibrant Strawberry Chicken Salad with Balsamic Dressing combines juicy grilled chicken breasts with fresh mixed greens, sweet strawberries, tangy feta cheese, crisp red onions, and crunchy pecans. Tossed in a homemade balsamic honey dressing, this salad offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal ideal for warm weather or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, and romaine)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or candied pecans
For the Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season and Grill the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill them over medium heat for 5–6 minutes on each side until they are fully cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices, then slice into thin strips.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens with the sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, sliced red onion, and chopped pecans. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Make the Balsamic Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Top the dressed salad with the sliced grilled chicken. Serve immediately for the best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese for feta cheese to vary the flavor.
- Walnuts can be used instead of pecans for a different nutty crunch.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in balsamic vinegar and garlic for 30 minutes prior to grilling.
